3D functional corneal stromal tissue equivalent preparation.

<p>Upon hCSSC extraction from human donor, cells were expanded in culture until seeding. Silk film topography, porosity and surface chemistry were optimized. hCSSCs were seeded on the silk films and cultured in 2D until confluent. Afterwards, 7 cellular silk layers were stacked in an orthogonal fashion to mimic the 3D physiological architecture. After 9 weeks in culture, the functional organization of the stroma equivalent was assessed based on cell organization, keratocyte-specific ECM production, optical and mechanical properties.